Forensic Psychiatrist Essay

Forensic psychiatry is the branch of psychiatry that deals with issues between the psychiatry of an offender and the law. In more plain terms, it’s the application of psychiatry to a criminal investigation. A forensic psychiatrist is a doctor educated in law, as well as mental health. These psychiatrists use their knowledge of mental health to act as expert witnesses assisting judges, juries, and lawyers during a criminal trial. The responsibility of a forensic psychiatrist is to be unbiased. He or she has to analyze the facts and the mental state of the defendant and report findings to lawyers when asked. If the lawyer believes that the findings are beneficial to the case, said forensic psychiatrist will be asked to testify in court. Forensic psychiatrists evaluate specific areas such as depression, anxiety, hysteria, and psychotic conditions like schizophrenia. To be a forensic psychiatrist, one needs a 4 year, pre-med, prerequisite college course, 4 years in medical school, a 4 year psychiatry residency, as well as a 1-2 year Forensic psychiatry fellowship. A state medical license is required as well as a Continuing Medical Education credit to maintain board
certification and to maintain license after residency. One must also have DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances. In order to be a successful forensic psychiatrist, one should employ empathy and compassion accompanied by the ability to treat others with respect and understanding.
Also, it is important to be emotionally resilient, but open enough to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues. Initiative and the ability to work flexibly in difficult situations is pertinent, as well as good problem solving skills or logical thinking. When appearing in court, it is important to relate well to people for many different backgrounds, but still have a scientific or analytical approach. Good leadership skills should also be exhibited alongside the ability to organize and motivate other team members. Most importantly, a forensic psychiatrist must have in depth knowledge of mental health and criminal
law. Forensic psychiatrists offer special insight into matters of medicine, mental health and other areas. Judges and attorneys frequently seek consultation from these professionals in a wide variety of fields and are generally referred to as “experts” or “expert witnesses” in court. Attorneys may hire forensic psychiatrists to help decide whether to develop expert opinions about questions of capacity (such as criminal insanity) and/or psychological injury, or to file suit. In some cases, forensic psychiatrists are called as witnesses during a trial. Forensic psychiatry experts can assist in a variety of legal matters this includes both criminal and legal proceedings. In criminal proceedings, they address both issues of capacity (the capacity to enter a plea, assist in a person’s defense, or form criminal intent and s such be held responsible for the criminal act). Also, they may offer testimony on issues of sentence reducing during the sentencing phase of a criminal trial. Forensic psychiatrists may help analyze security threats in the realms of public safety and criminal justice. In workplace cases, a forensic psychiatrist may be tasked with assessing whether a disability claim for a chronic illness such as fibromyalgia, depression, or chronic fatigue syndrome is valid and work-stress related. Clearly, there are a myriad of ways in which a forensic psychiatrist or psychologist may assist attorneys in their handling of a legal cases.